1. How can I get on the MSU Rodeo Team?
  2. Can anyone be a member of the MSU Rodeo Program?
  3. Do I have to be a team member to go to the College National Finals Rodeo?
  4. What will happen if I don't make the required GPA?
  5. Will I be excused from class to attend the college rodeos?
  6. Does the rodeo team travel together to the rodeos?
  7. What if I am injured during rodeo competition?
  8. Where do I keep my horses?
  9. How many college rodeos are there and when is the season?
  10. What other responsibilities do Bobcat Rodeo Members have?
  11. How many people are on the MSU Rodeo Team?
  12. When and where does the team practice?
  13. How far do we travel, how long are we gone, and how much does it cost?

  1. How can I get on the MSU Rodeo Team?

    Send a highlight video to the e-mail below, or share your videos with the MSU_Rodeo Instagram page. If you have never competed, we can help you learn in clinics but please don't expect a spot on our team! I also want a resume of your accomplishments and goals. If I feel like you would be worthy of a scholarship, I'll ask for academic info.   DO NOT WASTE MY TIME, OR YOURS, IF YOU'RE NOT COMMITTED TO RODEO AND GETTING AN EDUCATION!!!

    MSU Rodeo Office
    239 Brick Breeden Fieldhouse 
    Bozeman, MT 59717
    Office Phone: (406) 994-2403
    Cell Phone: (402) 340-3525 
    Fax: (406) 994-2703
    E-mail: [email protected]

    Check our Prospective Students page for more info.

  2. Can anyone be a member of the MSU Rodeo Program?

     To be considered as a member on our team you will be required to send in a video.  We look for well-rounded individuals who will represent MSU well in the classroom, the community, and in the rodeo arena. Everyone on the rodeo team is required to buy a National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) card. Walk-ons will be accepted-on a limited basis-as long as you uphold academic standards, stay out of trouble, and contribute to team needs.

    Six men and four women are selected each weekend to be on the "points team" to earn team points as well as individual points. Only the points scored by the "points team" members will be counted toward the team standings. However, ALL members are allowed to travel to and compete at the rodeos for individual points and prize money regardless of being chosen for the "points team".

  3. Do I have to be a points or scholarship team member to go to the College National Finals Rodeo?

    No, the CNFR will take the top three individuals in each event, top two individuals in the all-around, and the top two teams from each of the eleven regions. Please refer to the NIRA rulebook for better defined rules on CNFR qualifications. 

  4. What will happen if I don't make the required GPA?

    The first and foremost reason for attending Montana State University should be to receive an education. If your grade point average is below a 2.0, you will be ineligible for college rodeo. You are also required to be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester, and you must pass 9 per semester and 24 for the year. If you should become ineligible, any scholarship you have will be taken away and you will not be able to compete for the semester. Bobcat rodeo student-athletes are first and foremost students, then athletes. If you have to drop a class, please talk to the coach or office staff to ensure you have enough credits to compete. 

  5. Will I be excused from class to attend the college rodeos?

    Yes, excused absences are given by the university for National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association trips. Students are required to give all professors a form at the beginning of the semester with the schedule of college rodeos that season. Students also need to contact instructors prior to  an absence to arrange for make-up work in order to have the class excused. MSU Rodeo follows the same absence procedure as the rest of the Athletic Department here at MSU.

  6. Does the rodeo team travel together to the rodeos?

    Each contestant is responsible for his or her own travel arrangements and is encouraged to travel together in order to develop the camraderie that is a necessary part of a winning team. Part of fuel expenses may be paid depending on funds, and money for meals may be given to "points team" members. Contestants are responsible for their own entry fees, payable only in cash. 

  7. What if I am injured during rodeo competition?

    Membership in the NIRA includes secondary insurance coverage for travel, practice, and participation in approved rodeos. Montana State University will not be responsible for hospital or doctors fees. 

  8. Where do I keep my horses?

    MSU has recently purchased VL Arena in Belgrade to be the new home of the Bobcats.  Please contact Coach Whitaker for more information on boarding.

  9. How many college rodeos are there and when is the season?

    There are a total of 10 college rodeos and the season is split between the fall and spring. The fall rodeos in the Big Sky region begin the first weekend of September and end the first weekend of October. Spring rodeos begin the first weekend of April and end the first weekend of May.

    Click here for the rodeo schedule

  10. What other responsibilities do Bobcat Rodeo Members have?

    The Bobcats do more than just go to college rodeos. They have fundraisers, make public appearances, and do volunteer work in the Gallatin Valley. The Fall BBQ, Cowboys & Candlelight, and the Ag Day Football Game are a few of the activities required of rodeo team members. We are encouraging all members to apply themselves in giving back to the community, for more information see our community involvement page. 

  11. How many people are on the MSU Rodeo Team? 

    For the 2022 - 2023 season we are expecting between 45 - 50 student athletes.  In the future, we will try to stay around 50. We want to help a lot of you reach your rodeo goals, but we have to keep the number manageable so we all get quality practice.

  12. When and where does the team practice?

    Timed Event Practice is held Monday through Thursday at the new Bobcat Rodeo Grounds on Spain Bridge Road just outside of Belgrade. The facility has a heated indoor arena and a large outdoor arena. Practice stock is plentiful and kept right at the arena. Rough Stock Practice is held Monday and Wednesday nights from 5:30-800pm at MSU's Miller Pavillion which is a heated indoor facility on the MSU college farm. View photos of practice facilities

  13. How far do we travel, how long are we gone, and how much does it cost?

The MSU Rodeo team travels to 8 different locations for 10 rodeos (only 2 rodeos are double headers). The towns are listed below with the number of miles from Bozeman, MT.

Cody, WY- 215 mi
Miles City, MT- 286 mi
Havre, MT- 271 mi
Dillon, MT- 114 mi 
Bozeman, MT- 0 mi 
Great Falls, MT- 184 mi 
Glendive, MT- 360 mi
Missoula, MT- 204 mi 
Casper, WY- 420 mi

Two of these locations will host a "double rodeo" where you have two separate rodeos in one weekend. Individuals will be gone anywhere from 1-4 days for the rodeo weekend depending on the distance traveled, what performance you and your travel partners draw up in, whether or not you and your travel partners make the short go, and whether or not it is a single or double rodeo.

Entry Fees/Points & Payoff Information:

1st Event breakdown on a “One header”
            $15.00 – Stock Charge (hosting school)
            $20.00 – Regional Charge (administrative fees & year end prizes)
            $45.00 - payout

1-21 contestants per event pays 4 places
22+ contestants per event pay 6 places
Points to 8 places

1st Event breakdown on Long Go/Short Go

            $15.00 – Stock Charge (hosting school)
            $20.00 – Regional Charge (administrative fees & year end prizes)
            $55.00 – payout

Pays 4 places in the long go, short go and average
Points to 6 places